Chapter 1297

First Volume, Chapter 1297: Liang Emperor's Breaking the Cauldrons and Sinking the Boats

Zhao Ping had already believed he was certain to die, given Qin Feng's well-known ways.

Anyone standing against Qin Feng, regardless of status, was doomed to die.

Qin Feng's ruthless decisiveness had long taken root in people's hearts.

Yet now, Qin Feng had spared them, leaving Zhao Ping both astonished and grateful, while also strengthening his original resolve.

Attacking the Northern Border was purely the Liang Emperor's move to eliminate Qin Feng—like killing the dog after the rabbit is dead—not only immoral, but also an unjust act that disregarded the lives of all heaven's people.

Zhao Ping's expression was deeply complex; he bowed his head and gritted his teeth: "Though I have become a prisoner, anything I say is meaningless."

"But I must speak it out—holding it inside is too painful."

"If not for orders, I would never have raised weapons against the Prince of Qin; Liang's present strength is entirely due to the Prince of Qin."

"Without the Prince of Qin, there would be no Liang's prosperity."

"Yet on the eve of great success, His Majesty seeks to eliminate the Prince of Qin—I simply cannot bear it…"

Before Zhao Ping could finish, Qin Feng waved his hand to cut him off.

Under Zhao Ping's puzzled gaze, Qin Feng spoke solemnly: "I am glad you think this way, but some things are better kept in the heart, not spoken aloud."

"Even if you say nothing, once you return to your garrison, you will still face punishment and purge."

"Huh…"

Qin Feng let out a long sigh: "Forget it. Go to the Prisoner of War Camp for now. When the war ends and prisoners are released, if you wish to return home, no one will stop you."

"If you wish to stay in the Northern Border, no one will trouble you."

"Not just you."

Qin Feng's deep gaze swept over the other prisoners present: "The same goes for you all. When the war ends, if you wish to remain in the Northern Border, I welcome you all."

Hearing Qin Feng's words, Zhao Ping was already moved to tears of gratitude.

He knew well that as the King of the Northern Border, Qin Feng should not have said this—it would crush the morale of the Northern Border Troops—but Qin Feng had said it anyway.

This meant that, in Qin Feng's heart, he had always cared for the safety of Liang's soldiers, forced by war to strike down those he could not otherwise save.

The other prisoners present also lowered their heads, wiping away tears.

They felt no resentment at losing to Qin Feng, but now, being pardoned by him, they felt overwhelming shame.

Deep down, they never wished to be Qin Feng's enemies, yet as low-ranking soldiers, they had no choice.

Qin Feng feared that continuing to speak would betray his true feelings; he waved his hand, signaling Zhao Zhenhai to take all prisoners away, process them briefly, then transport them to the Prisoner of War Camp for mass detention.

As the prisoners were led away, they shouted repeatedly toward Qin Feng.

"Prince Qin, you must win!"

"If we wore armor, we'd have to obey orders and fight you—but now we're prisoners, we have nothing left to fear."

"That's right, win! Defend the Northern Border! When the war ends, I'll stay here to fight for Prince Qin."

"His Majesty is cruel, but Your Highness is full of humanity and righteousness—Liang is blessed to have Prince Qin."

Qin Feng made no reply, only watched the prisoners depart.

Even Zhao Zhenhai, standing beside him and witnessing the entire scene, was deeply moved.

"Alas! Because of one man, former comrades-in-arms must now kill each other—how tragic and helpless."

"Prince Qin, even if we win this war, the court's greed for the Northern Border will never cease."

"And there is only one way to end this predicament."

Zhao Zhenhai did not finish, but Qin Feng understood—the one lasting solution was… to overthrow the Li Imperial Clan and change dynasties.

Yet this was precisely what Qin Feng did not wish to see; his greatest desire was simply a warm hearth, wife and child, with no interest whatsoever in the imperial throne.

"I understand."

Qin Feng replied casually, not pressing the matter further—but in his heart, he was already making a different plan.

Just as Qin Feng won his first battle, Dingtao County presented a completely different scene.

Inside the Ying Zhang, all officers except Zhao Yuxiong were like ants on a hot pan.

They sat uneasily, their faces filled with terror.

"In a single strike, Qin Feng wiped out our entire Eastern Front force—that's Qin Feng!"

"Damn it! Even the Northern Di and the Powerful Clans of Nan Jing were defeated by Qin Feng—how can we possibly stand against him? Coming to the Northern Border was suicide."

"Hehe, I'm certain Qin Feng didn't even use his full strength!"

"Of course not! Those two thousand Infantry who came to reinforce never even advanced—if they had, coordinating with the Cavalry, they could have broken through the Eastern Front breach and stormed straight into the County City."

"Though we outnumber them, the Northern Border Troops are strong and well-equipped, and this is Qin Feng's home ground—he can send reinforcements anytime."

"If Qin Feng wanted to take Dingtao County, he already has."

After heated discussion, the officers realized a more terrifying truth: Qin Feng's thunderous strike had actually been held back.

Had Qin Feng not held back, Dingtao County would already be lost—and every officer here would likely be dead.

Why Qin Feng held back—whether due to old brotherhood with Zhao Yuxiong or some deeper strategy—remained unknown.

All eyes turned to Zhao Yuxiong.

"Grand General, morale has collapsed. Every soldier trembles at the name Qin Feng—we have no courage left to fight him."

"How can we possibly fight this war?"

Zhao Yuxiong understood Qin Feng's strength better than anyone; he felt no surprise or panic at this predicament.

Instead, his eyes blazed as he said firmly: "This is our opportunity."

Opportunity?!

What opportunity?

The officers exchanged glances, utterly confused by Zhao Yuxiong's words.

Zhao Yuxiong didn't hesitate and blurted out: "Qin Feng has always been ruthless against enemies, but he can't bring himself to see us as enemies."

"That violent and decisive man has grown soft."

"We will gain a chance to catch our breath and continue reinforcing Dingtao County's City Defense."

Upon hearing this, the officers did not feel the slightest joy; instead, they all lowered their heads, their faces burning with shame.

Qin Feng regarded us as his own, yet we sought to take Qin Feng's life—how despicable is that?

Especially Zhao Yuxiong, who planned to exploit Qin Feng's kindness to crush him—is he still one of Qin Feng's best Comrades?

Though no one spoke aloud, their glances toward Zhao Yuxiong carried varying degrees of contempt.